Inquiry Learning at Pigeon Mountain Primary School
"We learn best when we learn from our own experiences." "Children need to be active learners, seeking answers to questions that they care about." Inquiry learning is based on our natural curiosity to understand the world around and beyond us. It is a dynamic approach to learning that involves exploring the world, asking questions, making discoveries, and testing those discoveries in the search for new understanding. The depth of understanding is greater and richer than other teaching approaches. Inquiry learning is complex, multifaceted, and looks different in different classrooms and contexts. Inquiry learning develops higher-order critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, and knowledge and skills for lifelong learning. The knowledge and skills taught are transferable to other learning areas. Students will be able to make connections and use these skills and knowledge in other contexts.
Inquiry learning engages and motivates students in real life situations that are meaningful and relevant to them. These
o go beyond regurgitating knowledge. o involve problem solving. o involve applying what is learned. o result in social action. The inquiry model at Pigeon Mountain is represented by a four pointed star, each point representing a stage in the process. The star represents the inquiry learning model. The idea is for the children to navigate around the stages and visit each point of the star. It allows the freedom to stop at, or bypass any stage. Questioning, reflecting, refining, evaluating and reviewing are used through the inquiry. The Key Competencies surround the star. As the children develop the key competencies, successful learners are motivated to use them, recognising when and how to do so and why. Students are guided through inquiry. The teacher scaffolds learning for students, gradually removing the scaffolding as students develop their skills.
Questioning is at the centre of inquiry learning at Pigeon Mountain and is fundamental to inquiry learning. SOLO taxonomy is used to formulate questions. Students and teachers ask questions at different levels but with a focus on higher order questions.
5. Gifted and Talented Program
Gifted and Talented Enrichment Programmes
“Gifted and Talented students at PMPS are those with exceptional potential or talent to perform above their peers in one or more areas”
Students who display special abilities are provided for within the classroom programmes through differentiated learning. This is achieved by focusing on individual needs and different ways of learning and creating a variety of opportunities for students to self direct and self manage their own learning.
Thinking Skills Programme:
All students are able to think, but knowing how to select and use specific thinking strategies to problem solve, make decisions and foster creativity requires a deliberate and structured thinking skills programme. Thinking is a key competency which underpins everything we do and teaches students to be reflective, life long learners.
External Academic competitions:
In Years 4-6, students can take part in the ICAS exams. These are run by the University of New South Wales. Students from New Zealand, Australia and Asia compete in external exams in writing, spelling, mathematics, science and computer skills. Students may participate in one or several of the exams.
P.E. Specialisation:
Students have the opportunity to be taught by our P.E. specialist. The P.E. specialist takes whole classes for weekly 45 minute sessions and takes gifted and talented sports groups as well. We have many sports teams which participate in the local interschool competitions and field days.
Mandarin Lessons:
Students in years 1-6 who wish to learn Mandarin can opt for lessons after school on a weekly basis. These lessons are run by one of our Pigeon Mountain parents.
Speeches:
Each year, students from Years 3-6 participate in school speech competitions. Year 3 & 4 present a 1 minute hobby talk and Year 5 and 6 present a 3 minute speech on their chosen topic. The Year 6 students also compete to represent the school at the interschool speech competition.
Performing Arts:
Students are encouraged to join our choir and dance groups. Our Year 5 & 6 students audition for the choir and participate in the local school choir festival. We have 2 dance groups, Year 2 and Year 6. They represent the school in the local dance festival.
KBB Music Lessons and Guitar lessons:
Students have the opportunity to be taught by a music specialist who comes into the school on a weekly basis. There are small group lessons for instrumental teaching and a small band where the students practise together to improve their ensemble playing.
Environmental Education:
Students have many opportunities to get involved in environmental education. We have gardening groups, worm farms, an orchard, vegetable garden and composting. An active student group meet on a regular basis to discuss and implement new environmental initiatives.
ICT:
At PMPS, we have a major emphasis on the use of technologies to enrich and enhance our teaching and learning programmes. Ten classes have interactive whiteboards. Other technologies include a pod of digital cameras, video cameras, digital microscopes and web cams. Every classroom has at least one computer as well as a pod of computers in every area. Teachers promote the use of ICT in their classrooms and seek opportunities to integrate wherever possible.
TV News:
The Year 6 students are responsible for the school TV news every morning. This is where the daily notices are broadcast throughout the school. There are news presenters, camera operators and sound technicians.
Table of Contents
Information on teaching approaches followed at the school
1. Assessment for Learning
2. Inquiry Learning
Inquiry Learning at Pigeon Mountain Primary School"We learn best when we learn from our own experiences."
"Children need to be active learners, seeking answers to questions that they care about."
Inquiry learning is based on our natural curiosity to understand the world around and beyond us. It is a dynamic approach to learning that involves exploring the world, asking questions, making discoveries, and testing those discoveries in the search for new understanding. The depth of understanding is greater and richer than other teaching approaches. Inquiry learning is complex, multifaceted, and looks different in different classrooms and contexts.
Inquiry learning develops higher-order critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, and knowledge and skills for lifelong learning. The knowledge and skills taught are transferable to other learning areas. Students will be able to make connections and use these skills and knowledge in other contexts.
Inquiry learning engages and motivates students in real life situations that are meaningful and relevant to them. These
o go beyond regurgitating knowledge.
o involve problem solving.
o involve applying what is learned.
o result in social action.
The inquiry model at Pigeon Mountain is represented by a four pointed star, each point representing a stage in the process. The star represents the inquiry learning model. The idea is for the children to navigate around the stages and visit each point of the star. It allows the freedom to stop at, or bypass any stage. Questioning, reflecting, refining, evaluating and reviewing are used through the inquiry. The Key Competencies surround the star. As the children develop the key competencies, successful learners are motivated to use them, recognising when and how to do so and why. Students are guided through inquiry. The teacher scaffolds learning for students, gradually removing the scaffolding as students develop their skills.
Questioning is at the centre of inquiry learning at Pigeon Mountain and is fundamental to inquiry learning. SOLO taxonomy is used to formulate questions. Students and teachers ask questions at different levels but with a focus on higher order questions.
5. Gifted and Talented Program
Gifted and Talented Enrichment Programmes“Gifted and Talented students at PMPS are those with exceptional potential or talent to perform above their peers in one or more areas”
Students who display special abilities are provided for within the classroom programmes through differentiated learning. This is achieved by focusing on individual needs and different ways of learning and creating a variety of opportunities for students to self direct and self manage their own learning.
Thinking Skills Programme:
All students are able to think, but knowing how to select and use specific thinking strategies to problem solve, make decisions and foster creativity requires a deliberate and structured thinking skills programme. Thinking is a key competency which underpins everything we do and teaches students to be reflective, life long learners.
External Academic competitions:
In Years 4-6, students can take part in the ICAS exams. These are run by the University of New South Wales. Students from New Zealand, Australia and Asia compete in external exams in writing, spelling, mathematics, science and computer skills. Students may participate in one or several of the exams.
P.E. Specialisation:
Students have the opportunity to be taught by our P.E. specialist. The P.E. specialist takes whole classes for weekly 45 minute sessions and takes gifted and talented sports groups as well. We have many sports teams which participate in the local interschool competitions and field days.
Mandarin Lessons:
Students in years 1-6 who wish to learn Mandarin can opt for lessons after school on a weekly basis. These lessons are run by one of our Pigeon Mountain parents.
Speeches:
Each year, students from Years 3-6 participate in school speech competitions. Year 3 & 4 present a 1 minute hobby talk and Year 5 and 6 present a 3 minute speech on their chosen topic. The Year 6 students also compete to represent the school at the interschool speech competition.
Performing Arts:
Students are encouraged to join our choir and dance groups. Our Year 5 & 6 students audition for the choir and participate in the local school choir festival. We have 2 dance groups, Year 2 and Year 6. They represent the school in the local dance festival.
KBB Music Lessons and Guitar lessons:
Students have the opportunity to be taught by a music specialist who comes into the school on a weekly basis. There are small group lessons for instrumental teaching and a small band where the students practise together to improve their ensemble playing.
Environmental Education:
Students have many opportunities to get involved in environmental education. We have gardening groups, worm farms, an orchard, vegetable garden and composting. An active student group meet on a regular basis to discuss and implement new environmental initiatives.
ICT:
At PMPS, we have a major emphasis on the use of technologies to enrich and enhance our teaching and learning programmes. Ten classes have interactive whiteboards. Other technologies include a pod of digital cameras, video cameras, digital microscopes and web cams. Every classroom has at least one computer as well as a pod of computers in every area. Teachers promote the use of ICT in their classrooms and seek opportunities to integrate wherever possible.
TV News:
The Year 6 students are responsible for the school TV news every morning. This is where the daily notices are broadcast throughout the school. There are news presenters, camera operators and sound technicians.
6. References for teaching and learning